Lodged (Kinsmen Billionaires #2)

5. Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Gio Bianchi

I t’s two months before my dissertation presentation, and I’ve been crunching numbers and running experiments over and over again to make sure my data is solid. I know all my data by heart—the methods I used, the variables, the statistics, and even the potential errors. Everything. I’m pretty sure if I had a roommate, they would say I recite my experiments in my sleep. It’s the only thing I think about. I’m obsessed.

Good thing I live by myself.

In the first year of my doctorate degree, I rented an apartment just outside of campus, and I really enjoyed being able to walk to and from campus most days. But after investing the trust fund my grandpa left me, I came across more wealth than I could have ever dreamt of. At first, I thought I would be able to live a comfortable life without worrying about money.

But as time passed, I kept making more money in the trading market, and I didn’t have the time or knowledge to keep up with my fortune. Luckily, my best friend is a financial wizard. Penny became my financial advisor two years ago, and I’m one of the top 10 most coveted billionaires in the world, according to Forbes.

Having such a large capital is both a blessing and a curse. I despise the spotlight—all I wanted in life was to be able to own a nice house and a good car, be able to visit my siblings often, and have a good enough financial cushion—enough to live comfortably if I ever lost my job, and until I found a new one.

But Penny is a shark and lives for the thrill of investing and making money. In the two years she has been managing my money, I went from a few hundred million dollars to three and a half billion. I’ve donated a lot, but somehow, Penny always manages to grow the gold pot again.

My most recent donation was twenty percent of my fortune to the State of North Carolina to build a science park—a place where all universities in the state could send scientists to conduct research or utilize the facilities to optimize their experiments. I made the donation anonymously, of course. But I’ve kept tabs on the usage and development of the project, and they’ve broken ground already. It fills me with joy to know that I was able to help so many people excel in their work. Work, that in most cases, will have a direct impact on the betterment of humankind’s quality of life, or on the conservation of the environment, which is my passion.

Penny : Hey, boss, do you have time to chat today?

Speak of the devil. I’ve been avoiding her like the plague all week. I know she wants to talk about investments and numbers, but all I have on my mind is my dissertation.

Gio : No. You know my assets better than anyone. Could you please handle them like you’ve been doing and fill me in at the end of the month?

Penny : It’s the end of the month, boss.

Fuck, I honestly don’t have time or head space for this.

Gio : Please don’t call me boss. It makes me feel old, and we’re the same age. I’m working really hard to have my manuscript ready before defending my dissertation. Can we please deal with this later?

Penny : Fine. I was simply trying to take your mind off of your dissertation, but yeah, I’ll see you around.

Gio : Thank you! You’re the best.

Lifting my arms into the air, I stretch my back, turning my head side to side to stretch my neck muscles, as well. When I check the time on the computer, I realize it’s three in the afternoon, and I haven’t had lunch. I don’t think I had breakfast, either. The ungodly sound my stomach decides to make at that exact moment confirms I’m correct. I have to go find sustenance, since I haven’t been to the grocery store this past week, either, thanks to the dissertation consuming my every thought.

I grab my keys and wallet on the way out, and as soon as I close the door behind me, a wave of humidity hits me. I can’t wait for the fall weather. How many times have I said the same thing in the past month? TMTC —Too Many Too Count.

My place is located two blocks from Main Street, and I always enjoy the walk and looking at all the unique houses in the area.

This is an “old” neighborhood in the sense that houses are either Victorian-style—like mine—or twentieth-century bungalows. One of my favorite parts of living here is the plant life people have in their gardens: a mixture of azaleas, roses, and native species. In fact, there’s an amphitheater in the heart of the neighborhood, surrounded by a beautiful rose garden.

I’m about to cross the street when I hear someone crying. I stop to listen better since it’s not unusual to hear toddlers crying around here. I think the amphitheater holds a story time for kids once or twice a week. But this cry sounds like it’s from an adult. I know it’s none of my business, but I go investigate anyway.

Even if I had fourteen million guesses as to who I'd find crying in the bushes, I never would have guessed it was someone I knew, someone who's been running through my mind on a loop. The person I find crying uncontrollably is one of my students—Ruin. Her unmistakable red hair is dancing with the wind, the sunrays hitting it through the shadows the tree top creates. She’s wearing a burgundy dress, which contrasts beautifully against her creamy skin. Her back is to me as she sits at the bottom of the amphitheater, her chest rising and falling as she continues to cry. I make my way to her slowly—I don’t want to startle her.

When I reach her, my shadow falls over her, and she quickly wipes the tears before looking up at me. as her gaze meets mine, a mix of panic and surprise transforms her face. I offer her a kind smile, though I’m sure I’m one of the last people she wants to see while crying her heart out.

“Gio, hi,” she says as she stands up. Once she’s at her full height, I can appreciate the dress she’s wearing. It has a vintage vibe with a damask print, sleeves that widen toward her wrists, and a flowy bottom. As she turns fully, I notice her brown suede boots when they click against the concrete—she looks stunning, even when her beautiful face is blotchy from crying.

“I’m sorry for interrupting you, but as I was heading to grab a bite, I heard someone crying and wanted to see if I could help.”

Her face softens, and I release a breath, knowing she’s relaxed a bit.

“You are so kind, Gio. But I have to be honest, I really didn’t want anyone to see me like this.” Her voice breaks on the last words, and she covers her face with her hands as she sits down again. I settle beside her, patiently waiting for her to calm down again so we can talk.

It hurts me to see her so distraught. “I understand if you want to be alone, but if there’s anything I can do to help you—even if it’s just listening—I’d be happy to,” I tell her sincerely. I always care about my students, and for some reason, she’s special to me.

“If you really don’t have anything else to do than listen, then yes, please. I’d love to vent.” I smile brightly at her, but my stomach decides to remind me how hungry I am at that exact moment. Heat rises in my chest. I don’t think I’ve ever been so embarrassed in my life about my physiological needs.

“Oh, that’s right. You were on your way to get something to eat.” I’m about to tell her I can wait when she continues, “If you don’t mind you can eat one of my granola bars. I really don’t want to run into anyone I know right now.” She gives me a tentative smile, and my grin widens.

“I’d love that granola bar,” I tell her, and she reaches for her backpack. Our hands touch as she passes it to me, sending a shot of electricity shoots down my spine, and raising goose bumps all over my body.

“So,” she begins as she readjusts her hair behind her ears. “It’s a long story, but I started school at a community college near my hometown. I was finally able to transfer to Wolfe this year, and although I’m loving the experience of being in a full four-year research university, I miss my family terribly.” Ruin lowers her gaze at her admittance.

“Hey, there’s nothing wrong with missing your family. I miss my siblings more than words can say, and they’re not just a drive away,” I admit with a shrug as I take a bite of the granola bar, which is surprisingly delicious.

“Oh, where are you from?” she asks, her face transforming with curiosity.

“I’m from Argentina. I moved here four years ago.” Her eyes widen, and I chuckle.

“South America?” she asks, and I nod with a smile. “But that’s so far away,” she says, her voice barely above a whisper.

“It is. But I really wanted to come and study here.” I smile remembering the day I got the acceptance letter. It was a cold, dark winter day, but as if the sky were playing matchmaker, a ray of sunlight blasted through the clouds just as I opened that letter. It was one of the happiest moments of my life.

“And here I am complaining to you. I’m sorry, Gio.” Her eyes zero in on the ground, the realization of her self-perceived dramatics evident.

“Hey,” I reply gently, hoping she’ll look at me. When those green eyes meet mine, I’m mesmerized. They’re clearer for some reason. I need to find a precious stone of that exact same color so that I can categorize them. I’ve never seen anything so beautiful.

“Anyway, tell me about you. I’m guessing you’re really close to your family?” She nods. “And what’s the issue? Do you have things to do this weekend that are keeping you from going for a visit?” I press further, wanting to know if there’s anything I can do to help.

“Well, that’s the thing. I was going to leave today after my last class. I even had everything packed, but then my car wouldn’t start.” Her eyes fill with tears again, and it takes everything in me not to hug her and tell her everything is going to be okay. That’s probably the most inappropriate thought I have ever had with a student. Get a grip, Gio.

“My place isn’t too far. We can grab my car, and I can give yours a jump start.” She shakes her head, and I’m really confused as to why she’s not accepting my help.

“No, Gio. My car is beyond repair. I bought it right before I moved here. I knew it was used and well-loved, but it seemed to be in good enough shape to go back and forth a couple of times per month. But today. when I went to start it, it just…poof.” Ruin makes an explosion sound, and my eyebrows shoot up.

“It would be a little funny, if I wasn’t this sad.” She chuckles at the memory. “I turned the key, and the car shook a little. Like rattling. I panicked, so I pressed the brake harder, but then smoke started coming out of the hood, and all I could think was that my car was going to burn my apartment building down.” I know this isn’t funny, and even though right now we seem like we are just two friends chatting away, I’m her instructor. I cover my mouth with my hand and clench my jaw to keep from laughing. I would have been freaking the hell out, too.

“So I got out of the car as fast as I could, then I ran to one of the emergency posts.” She pauses and looks at me, making sure I know what she's talking about. I nod so she can continue her story—I know those posts. They are all around campus, and they are connected to campus police, so in case of an emergency, you simply press the blue button instead of calling 911.

“All I could think of saying was, ‘Smoke is coming out of my car! Please help.’ By the time the firefighters arrived, there were a lot of onlookers, and I was beyond mortified watching the fire department soak my little car down.” My protective instincts kick in, and I give Ruin a one-arm hug. She immediately closes the distance between us and rests her head on my chest.

“I felt so embarrassed. There I was, a twenty-four-year-old woman, fresh out of the mountains, trying to make it in the big city—but no. Fate had other plans for me.” She sniffles, and I press her harder against me. I shouldn’t be so aware of how well she fits with me, but her body is molded to mine. And it feels nice to have her this close.

“I know it was not a stellar moment, but there’s really nothing to feel embarrassed about. It could have happened to anyone. And if someone dares to judge you for that, it says more about them than it says about you,” I tell her, determined to put a smile on her face. She lifts her face from my chest, ever so slowly. Her hair is a little messy, but she gives me a shining smile. At that moment, I don’t think—I simply speak.

“I’ll tell you what. Let’s go to my place, and I’ll lend you my car for the weekend. I don’t need it anyway. And I think it’d be really good for you to see your family.” I don’t tell her that it’s not my only car—but that’s irrelevant at the moment.

“What? I could never accept that,” she says, sitting a little taller. I like her tenacity. She’s not one to take things for free. And there are so many more things I want to ask her—I want to know everything about her. But right now, I know seeing her family will do her a lot of good.

“Why not? I’m offering to help you just like I would any of my students. I know you’re going to see your family. You’re not going to use my car in illegal races. Right?” I say with a smile, and she chuckles. Damn, it makes me feel incredible knowing I put that smile on her face. The moment I catch up with my thoughts, I frown. What the fuck is wrong with me?

“If you’re sure,” she says hesitantly.

“I’m positive.” I stand up and offer her my hand to help her up. She grabs her backpack and then accepts my hand.

“You know, I came to this place because I love the flowers. Not really thinking that the roses only bloom in the spring. But for some reason, this place always brings me peace,” she shares as we make our way up the stairs.

“Funny you should mention that. It has the same effect on me, too. It’s actually one of the reasons I got my place nearby.” I like the fact that we have things in common, and it’s not lost on me that she mentioned she’s twenty-four. She’s more mature than the average college student. No wonder I’ve been drawn to her since the moment I first saw her.

We make it back to my place in no time, and I open the garage door with the remote fob I have in my pants pocket. It’s an under-house garage since my house is on a hill and was built at an angle. When the door is fully open, I look at Ruin, and her mouth is agape. I try not to chuckle, but it is pretty endearing to see my life through other people’s eyes.

“Do you have a roommate?” Ruin asks, curious.

“No, it’s just me,” I say as I cross my arms over my chest.

“So that means you have more than one car.”

“Yes,” I answer simply; there’s no point in hiding it.

“But these cars are expensive,” Ruin says as she takes a couple of steps into the garage and passes her hand over the hood of my dark gray Range Rover.

“They’re just cars.” I’m trying to get her mind away from the fact that this car alone probably costs more than her entire four years of education.

“No, Gio. I cannot drive this,” she says, shaking her head.

“Please go see your family. Do it for me.” She looks at me inquisitively. “Yes, do it for me. You get to see your family this weekend—something I can’t do with mine.” I don’t tell her that I could just take my private jet and fly to Santiago to see my siblings. I just really want to do this for her.

“You’re definitely the nicest person I’ve ever met.” She flashes me a bright smile, and hope forms in my chest. She’s going to take me up on my offer. Why am I so hell-bent on this? I don’t want to go there right now. I know I’m breaking a lot of rules, and being so close to defending my thesis and graduating, it’s something quite stupid to do, but at this moment, I don’t care. I’m not taking advantage of her, and I’m not taking her grades hostage because of this. I’m simply helping someone out.

“I promise I’ll drive as safely as I can. And I’ll bring it back on Sunday night.” I nod and smile at her, silently closing our deal.

“Thank you so much, Gio. I’ll never be able to repay you this favor,” she says as she lunges to hug me. She takes me by surprise, so we stumble a couple of steps back. But the moment I hug her back, everything feels right in my world.

“There’s nothing to repay. You’re welcome.”